Sussex Polo

Andrew Swaffield

Sallie-Anne and Duane asked me to write this piece for the 2008 Sussex Polo brochure, and I was delighted to get the chance to talk about my journey into polo and hopefully help a few more of you to get addicted to this fantastic sport.

Having not ridden before, I was invited to Hurtwood in 2002 to watch Kuoni Holidays play British Airways (who I worked for). HRH Prince of Wales, Jodie Kidd, Kenny Jones and a host of others were playing and I was utterly and instantly captivated. I will never forget the first time I heard and felt the thundering hooves charging past me – the excitement was amazing! Of course I had no idea what was going on, but I was filled with respect and awe for these players and horses who seemed so skilled & brave and provided such a spectacle for the watching crowds. I’m pleased to say that British Airways won (despite the absence of royalty on their team!) and I resolved to learn to ride, so that one day I might be on the pitch rather than just spectating.

I spent 2004 having a weekly riding lesson at a local riding school. My riding was greatly helped in 2005 by the purchase of a grey mare called Betsy who was sold as a perfect school master horse – ideal for a novice like me to build my confidence. As my first horse, I was so excited that I went out riding straight away, deep in the countryside – at which point I discovered that Betsy was not quite ‘as billed’ ( I think the term mis-sold would apply had she been a mortgage or an insurance policy!). The first thing Betsy did was bolt in a 20 acre field and proceed to gallop at full speed around it about 6 times – with me on – desperately clinging on for dear life and turning her around this field until she exhausted herself and slowed down. Over the course of the next year or so we came to understand each other a little better and she calmed down a lot. At least she taught me how to stay on!

I first discovered Sussex Polo club this time last year, whilst out walking the Basset Hounds and thought to myself that it must be serendipity that I had accidentally managed to move so close to a polo club and maybe fate was telling me to have a go. I checked out the website and the expression ‘less blue blood and more new blood’ gave me considerable comfort that maybe I would be able to stray into this mysterious and exclusive world after all. I was frankly terrified when I first set eyes on the grass pitch and the adrenaline rush from my first grass chukkas is a memory that will stay with me for years. The chance to play in tournaments was not something I imagined I would get this year and it was such a thrill to be on a team and to be able to contribute in some way to winning (occasionally) or not – but either way, an unforgettable experience.

I’ve moved further away from the club now, but will be making the journey again next summer because everyone at Sussex is so friendly and the club has managed to combine being relaxed and welcoming to people of all levels, with also being competitive and professional. For anyone out there who is considering Polo then I couldn’t recommend Sussex highly enough – just a word of warning though – it’s highly addictive!

Sportsmanship and teamwork are a huge part of polo at Sussex, and regardless of your ability, the handicap system allows you to make a contribution from very early on in your playing career. I can’t think of a sport which offers a greater combination of excitement, strategy and camaraderie, and which is also dependant upon a respectful partnership between player and pony.

You don’t have to be a blue blooded member of the aristocracy, or to have been riding all your life, nor do you need to be very young or naturally athletic (regrettably I am proof of all three of these statements), you just need a love for the sport and a desire to live life a bit more adventurously.